Technical Traction Control Braking FAQs

Does the Traction Controlled Braking Unit Allow Air into the Brake System?
Absolutely not; the Traction Controlled Braking System DOES NOT Allow Air into Your Braking System. The top part of the TCB unit does have air in it, but the air is totally sealed in this upper compartment from the bottom part of the Traction unit that has brake fluid in it.

By having the air sealed in the upper unit by a rubber diaphragm it introduces give in the system. Another analogy, imagine your cars suspension without shock absorbers, there would be no flexibility. Now with a shock absorber it allows flexibility, just like what sealed top part of the TCB does because it is filled with air.

By "high and low spots" on the rotor are you referring to a warped rotor?
No. Rotors are not totally smooth, just feel your rotors.

Does the TCB Device meet all DOT and NHTSA certifications?
Yes, because the TCB Braking System is an aftermarket item, self certifications and private hydraulic pressure test for product integrity and quality control are sufficient. As stated by the Office of Vehicle Safety" presently there are no required certifications needed for mechanical aftermarket brake products other than brake hoses". (www.nhtsa.dot.gov)

The TCB unit is actually one of the strongest parts in your braking system being tested at over 4500 psi.

If I install the TCB Brake System, will it void my vehicle warranty?
No, the addition of the TCB Braking System doesn’t void your vehicle warranty. Even automotive manufacturers such as Dodge, General Motors, and Ford have publicized the fact that the addition of aftermarket products does not void their warranties. There has been a lot of confusion about this issue, but federal law actually prohibits manufacturers from voiding warranties based on the addition of aftermarket parts unless they can prove that the aftermarket item caused a failure in the vehicle.

How does Traction Control Braking work? (Brief technical explanation)
The TCB automatically measures the coefficients of friction/amount of traction from the tires footprint (area of the tire touching the ground) to release the wheel from the point of total lock up which allows the wheel more ability to slip for total braking control. To get more in depth explanations go to http://www.tcbbrakesystems.com/technical-tcb.html.

How does Traction Control Brakes work? (Brief non-technical explanation)
The TCB adds a give/compressibility factor like a shock absorber inside of the brake line in your brake system. By introducing some give, the TCB allows the brake pads to float and drag over the high and low sports of the brake rotor which helps avoid premature locking of your brakes. To get more in depth explanations go to http://www.tcbbrakesystems.com/technical-tcb.html.

This Sounds to Good to be True???
People thought the same about seat belts, antilock brakes, and airbags. We say "Revolutionary" because Traction Control Brakes will arguably be the Biggest Invention in the Motor Sports Industry since the Helmet. You really do get a feeling of total control in your braking

The TCB just looks like a bolt; what makes it work?
There is a small rubber diaphragm that separates a chamber of air from the brake fluid which creates a "shock absorber" like affect to help reduce your wheels from premature locking.

What is the difference between ABS and Traction Control Brakes?
Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) are electronic systems that measures the wheels speed and registers when the wheel has stops rotating. Through a series of components the antilock brakes computer allow the brakes to lock and unlock numerous times per second to help prevent the wheels from locking up long term.

Antilock brakes and Traction Control Brakes still rely on traction/coefficients of friction to allow the wheels to rotate for additional control. It needs to be emphasized that ABS still lets your wheels lock, ABS only works at particular speeds and after the wheels has experienced total lock up. Traction Control Brakes is an all mechanical system that works every time you brake by helping you modulate your brakes for optimum performance and a feel of total control in your braking.

Can the TCB Unit Fail?
The TCB has only one moving part, the diaphragm inside the unit, which helps to modulate/feather the brakes. The manufacturer of our Traction Control Brake System uses the best existing polymer to ensure resilience to the brake fluid as well as heat that comes from the brakes. Although our manufacturing and components ensures that the unit will not fail, if some way the diaphragm does fail, your brakes will still work totally the same as they did before the unit was installed.

The TCB unit is designed to withstand more than 4500 psi before rupture which makes it one of the strongest parts in your braking system. If a rupture should occur the TCB has a secondary seal that prevents any leaks or total loss of brake pressure well beyond 4500 psi.

Isn’t it dangerous to change something in the brake system?
No, replacing your banjo bolt with a TCB unit has the very minimal risks that you would have if you were changing out your banjo bolt with another banjo bolt or changing anything other component in your brake system; that you need to bleed your brakes properly. The important thing to remember when bleeding your brakes is to always follow manufacturers’ instructions.

What type of testing has been done?
We repeatedly test the TCB unit for durability during the manufacturing process. Because the weights of each motor sport vehicle is different and because surface conditions are not the same it would be nearly impossible to test every make and model of motor sports vehicles.

Because the TCB unit is designed to withstand over 4500 psi before the diaphragm inside ruptures it is actually one of the strongest parts in your brake system. If for some reason the diaphragm did rupture we have designed a second seal so the TCB unit prevents any leaks or pressure loss even over 4500 psi.

Do the units wear out?
Each TCB unit is designed to last as long as your vehicle runs, but if you think the unit has worn out we will replace any defective unit for the life of your vehicle.

What happens if I only have a TCB on the front caliper?
Because 70% of braking and weight transfers to the front brakes, having the TCB on the front is the most important and it will give you the biggest change in how your brakes work and giving you the feeling of total braking control.

What if I only have a TCB unit on my back caliper?
Since the rear brakes have much less total weight on them during braking you will find the Traction Control response when the unit is installed on the back caliper is not as large. So to get the feeling of that people describe as total controlled braking you should get a TCB unit for the front first.

What benefits will I see with the unit on the front?
With a TCB on the front you will find that there is less premature locking of the wheels, you will have an increased ability to control your motor sports vehicle during aggressive braking and have the feeling of totally controlled braking.

What benefits will I see with the unit on the back?
Having a TCB unit on the rear wheel will allow better "tracking" during aggressive braking maneuvers and cornering, but to get the full feeling of total control in your brakes you should put one on your front brakes.

Although having a TCB unit on either the front brake or brake produces the same function, because of the weight transfer to the front of the vehicle during braking you will feel the most change in the front.

What benefit do you get by having a TCB both the front and back?
You get the total control a rider can experience braking by having a TCB unit on both the front and rear wheels.

Is their a difference in the performance if the TCB unit is installed at the caliper or master cylinder?
No; the unit can be installed anywhere in between the master cylinder and brake caliper and the effect will be the same.

Will there be a change in the feel of my brake controls?
You will feel a difference the first time you ride with a TCB unit installed in the brake lever or pedal. Although it will seem to be softer, the reaction of the brakes becomes more responsive. This is part of the increased feeling of the total range we describe, so there is more difference of a feeling between lightly braking and totally locking your wheels. There is no cause for alarm, what you feel is the TCB unit working and the TCB unit works every time you apply the brakes at any speed.

Do you recommend putting a TCB on an ABS system?
No, we do not recommend this.

Why is only the medium/standard unit recommended?
After numerous tests, the inventor found that the only difference that a rider could see is if they went from a soft to a firm unit or vice versa. You will find that the Traction Control unit works well on any motor sports vehicle front or rear wheels. If you are a professional rider, after you get used to the control advantages and feel of the total control you receive from a medium/standard TCB unit, then if you would like a little more or a little less wheel slip then consider ordering a different firmness by contacting us.